Food

[OceanPhoenix]

Hi, 

So I have been struggling with food for a while now. Now and then I will eat a lot of food to the point that it has surpassed fullness, and I just feel sick. It has been going on and off since I was 17 (now 20) but has gotten worse in the last year and a half. My main issue has been sugar and I have been using a routine where I eat sugar on two specific days each week to regulate the craving, but today I binged again. I feel immensely guilty and feel like trash after each binge and when I see the weight gain it ruins my whole day. On top of that I worry about calories whenever I go out to eat, searching for lowest calories options at any restaurant I go to, and now I cannot enjoy eating out anymore. Eating out causes me stress and often I find myself wanting to cancel plans just to avoid it. This was a recent development (last 6 months) after coming off of dieting for 6months, and I am worried I can never get over it. I am terrified that I will never not be able to stop binging and while now its far fewer and far in between, it still happens and that scares me. When I do it, I become so moody and my day becomes ruined and I cannot control it. I feel so lost. I considered therapy but I am a student and cannot afford it. Anyday advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Sophie_M]

Hi OceanPheonix,

Thank you for reaching out and sharing so openly, that takes a lot of courage, especially when these struggles have been building over time. What you're describing sounds incredibly tough, and it's so understandable that you’d be feeling overwhelmed and scared. The cycle of binging, guilt, and stress around food and eating out can be emotionally exhausting, and you're not alone in feeling this way.

It’s clear that you’ve been trying to manage this in your own way, using routines, tracking cravings, and making intentional changes and that shows a lot of strength and insight. But you also deserve more support around this. Eating and body image struggles can take a toll not just physically, but mentally and emotionally, especially when it starts to impact social life and daily mood.

Even if therapy feels out of reach right now, there are free and low-cost supports available that might help:

Butterfly Foundation offers free, confidential support for anyone experiencing body image or eating difficulties. You can call them on 1800 33 4673 or visit butterfly.org.au to chat online with a trained counsellor.

You're not alone, and there is help available, even if it doesn't feel like it right now. Please keep reaching out and posting here, this community is a safe space to share what you're going through without judgement.


Take gentle care,
Sophie M